2006 Pontiac Grand Prix squealing noises

KRONDRAGON

MEMBER

8 POSTS

2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

6 CYL

FWD

AUTOMATIC

82,000 MILES

This noise didn't occur to my attention until today. It happened before, but did not happen in the frequency it did today.

The noise itself is very high pitch and can get louder relative to higher car speeds before breaking 30 mph. It is also consistent as in there are no periods of silence in the noise, just a long stretch of piercing squealing.

The squealing occurs under these conditions:
- After some time of driving
- Happens upon accelerating from being stationary
- Happens if cruising at speeds lower than 30 mph

The squealing does not occur upon starting up the car.

The squealing stops if I step on the brake pedal or if I get to a higher speed.

The odd thing was the squealing occurred only after some time from driving and continued to do so for about ten minutes and then after driving a bit more, the squealing stopped during my drive home. The noise was gone even when I was accelerating from stationary position and cruising at low speeds. Why the sudden squeal and sudden disappearance sort of baffles me.

I haven't checked the car belt, but I did check my brakes last month and they had over 1/3 of it's padding left, so I assumed brakes were not the issue. However, what does concern me is that I can not pinpoint the noise. I had my windows up while driving to see if it was coming from the engine, but the sounds diminished to a whisper. With them down, the squealing noises are piercing.

Right now, judging from my research, there are numerous things that could be associated with this issue. I'm still looking for more perspective on this before I go under the hood and actually inspect this.

Thanks in advance for your time.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 3:57 AM

9 Replies

FIXITMR

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10,168 POSTS

So you say it only does it when you drive it, not sitting still?

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 6:39 AM

KRONDRAGON

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From my experience, yes it has only happened when the car was moving in either an accelerating manner or at a constant lower speed.

When I got home, before I turned the engine off for the night, I placed the car in park and pressed the accelerator pedal lightly and go no squeals.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 7:03 AM

FIXITMR

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The fact that if you step on brakes it goes away should indicate it is brake related. You may have to take brakes apart to inspect all pads for wear. 1 of the wear indicators may be causing the noise. Or it's a caliper not adjusting well and making a pad rub just right? Or maybe a bent dust cover hitting the rotor?

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 3:14 PM

KRONDRAGON

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I see. The only brake I checked was one of the front brakes since the front brake pads are the ones that usually wear out faster?

I'll check the back rotors and see if I can find anything.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 5:11 PM

KRONDRAGON

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I forgot to ask, would it also explain the sudden disappearance of the noise on the drive home?

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 6:45 PM

FIXITMR

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That is the odd factor. But who knows what variables are in play here? For instance temperature/humidity/wear?

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Sunday, May 15th, 2011 AT 10:17 PM

KRONDRAGON

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It was windy that day and my dad did say that sometimes dust can get caught up and make such a noise. I haven't had the time to really inspect the brake pads, but I took a quick glance at one of the rotors and there was rust alongside the top edge of it. Perhaps the debris from it must have gotten caught up in the brakes?

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Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 AT 5:33 AM

FIXITMR

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Always possible that something got caught up in brakes.

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Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 AT 6:33 AM

GOGOPITT

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I am having the same issue on my '05 Grand Prix right now. Did you ever figure out the issue?